Zamora: ‘I’m not looking at building a political dynasty’

MANILA, Philippines — After ending the 50-year political grip of the Estrada clan over San Juan City, newly elected mayor Francis Zamora has promised not to build a political dynasty.

“I’m not looking at building a political dynasty,” Francis said Wednesday over an interview with ANC’s Early Edition.

Francis explained that his father Rep. Ronaldo Zamora who was reelected as San Juan congressman will retire in three years and that all his children are still young.

“My father will be serving his last three years as congressman. He is now 74. By 2022, he will be 77. He’ll be retiring definitely,” Francis said.

Ronaldo, a three-term congressman, defeated his opponent actor Edu Manzano. The City Board of Canvassers showed that Ronaldo was able to obtain 35,386 votes, while Manzano only had 23,627.

READ: Manzano loses San Juan House bid to Ronaldo Zamora

“I’m just alone. My children are all very young. So no one will come after me,” he added. “It’s just me and my dad. My dad is retiring. My eldest is 17. My second child is 14. My third is eight and my fourth is six. So they’re all very young.”

Asked if his wife is willing to run, Francis said: “Ah, no, no, no. She’s just a very supportive wife. She chooses to remain behind the scenes. She’s quite shy, actually. She takes care of the family.”

Francis, running under the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), led the San Juan mayoralty race with 35,060 votes.

His opponent Janella Ejercito Estrada running under the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP), garnered 24,813 votes.

(Editor: Mike Frialde)

READ: Francis Zamora proclaimed as San Juan City mayor